PORT ANGELES — A three-day economic development summit that begins next week will focus on reducing duplication between the various public and private agencies and developing an economic “action plan” for Clallam County.
The summit, organized by the Clallam County Economic Development Council, will be led by John White of BergerABAM.
The vice president of the Federal Way-based company will take input both from Clallam County residents and representatives of business and public agencies on how the economy can be improved.
He will develop an economic development plan that will be considered for adoption by local public entities and private economic development organizations, said EDC Executive Director Linda Rotmark.
She said White came highly recommended by other economic development councils in the state.
Rotmark said someone locally could be found to lead the summit, “but the actual written document with the action items as an outcome is really important. That was the compelling point to hire John White and BergerABAM.”
$8,000 each
The city of Port Angeles, Clallam County and Port of Port Angeles are funding the summit at $8,000 each, she said.
It will begin April 1 with public input. Rotmark said any county resident will be able to comment on how to improve the area’s economy from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in a conference room at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles.
The next day, representatives from local public entities, tribes, and businesses will meet at the Lincoln Center for interviews with White.
Representatives of organizations and public entities involved in economic development will meet with him again May 11 for another session when a plan is drafted.
The plan — which is intended to direct efforts to grow the county’s economy — is expected to be adopted this summer.
The idea for the summit came out of the Port Angeles City Council’s retreat in January. Council members expressed concern over there being “too many cooks in the kitchen” when it comes to economic development.
In other words, they felt there are too many organizations trying to do the same thing.
Rotmark said the summit will hopefully clearly separate the responsibilities of groups like the chambers of commerce, the port, tourism promoting organizations, local governments, etc.
She said the summit will be the largest economic development gathering in about nine years.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
